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    Ed Sheeran parties away as pop king celebrates his beloved Ipswich winning promotion from League One

    ED SHEERAN led Ipswich’s promotion party as supporters urged the super-fan to release a song of his celebration chant.The pop king and shirt sponsor posted “E I E I O, up the Football League we go! @ipswichtown” on Instagram as he posed in a Tractor Boys shirt while clutching the club badge.
    The Tractor Boys’ go wild as they join Plymouth in going up from League OneCredit: Rex
    Ed Sheeran shows his pride as Ipswich return to the ChampionshipCredit: Instagram
    One follower replied “That”s insane” and another wrote “It’s great to see you excited Ed” as Ipswich returned to the Championship.
    Kieran McKenna’s men showed real Suffolk punch to hit Exeter for six on Saturday and secure at least runners-up spot in League One.
    Ipswich were 5-0 up inside 32 minutes on the way to a 6-0 romp.
    And so comfortable was the victory they brought on second-choice keeper Vaclav Hladky late on for his first appearance of the season.
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    The second-placed Tractor Boys will win the title if they win at Fleetwood next Sunday and Plymouth fail to earn three points at Port Vale.
    Fans said “We love you Ed” while another commented on his celebrations: “Release it as a single.”
    Many also many praised his financial contribution to the team he loves.
    One wrote: “A proud day for the club, thx for your support.”
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    Yorkshireman Sheeran, 32, lives in Suffolk and has sponsored the team shirt for the past two seasons.
    And this weekend’s joy was his second big bash of the month – albeit far less private than the first.
    The Eyes Closed singer closed his Bertie Blossoms restaurant in London’s Notting Hill for a 30th birthday party for wife Cherry.
    Only family and close friends were there.
    Fast forward two weeks, though, and he had a Perfect Day shared by a Portman Road crowd of 29,334.
    Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna, second right, and chief executive Mark Ashton, right, join the players in rejoicing over the return to the second tierCredit: PA More

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    Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard will stay at club if US takeover collapses as Mark Spiegel’s bid runs into snags

    OWNER Thomas Sandgaard will stay at Charlton if a US takeover collapses.Marc Spiegel’s bid to buy the League One club is running into snags.
    Sandgaard could remain at CharltonCredit: Alamy
    But Sandgaard’s advisers suggest a small investment could help the club.
    Spiegel and his consortium had hoped to complete a takeover this week, but talks have stalled.
    Their exclusivity period with Sandgaard – which was signed in February – has also expired.
    American businessman Spiegel recently revealed his ambition for Charlton.
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    As quoted by Bloomberg, he said: “Our ambitions are more than just purchasing a club.
    “We want to elevate the club – expose it to a new audience and win on the pitch.”
    If an adequate takeover offer is made, Sandgaard – who purchased Charlton in September 2020 – could decide to relinquish all control of the club.
    The Addicks currently sit 10th in League One.
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    And fans have put the club’s mediocre season down to Sandgaard’s poor ownership.
    Charlton earned a 3-2 win over Port Vale on Saturday. More

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    Ryan Reynolds hilariously doubles down on golf-themed plot to get Gareth Bale to join Wrexham on free transfer

    WREXHAM co-owner Ryan Reynolds has doubled down on his side’s attempts to lure Gareth Bale out of retirement. The Welsh club are still celebrating their promotion to League Two after beating Boreham Wood 3-1 last weekend to secure the National League title.
    Gareth Bale has been enjoying retirement by playing some of the best golf courses in the worldCredit: Twitter/@GarethBale11
    Reynold’s and McElhenney have overseen Wrexham’s return to the Football LeagueCredit: PA
    Bale, 33, retired from football after the World Cup in Qatar and appears to be enjoying his retirement.
    Reynold’s took to Twitter to double down on the golf themed plot to try and get Bale to join Wrexham.
    He said: “I will shave a professional-grade golf course into Rob’s back if you’ll give Wrexham a season.
    He then replied to his own tweet saying: “Update: after an online image search, it appears Rob does not have the requisite body hair to support this plan.”
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    There has yet to be a response from Bale to the latest attempt to convince him out of retirement.
    Reynold’s tweet came in response to Bale’s congratulatory message to Wrexham’s other co owner Rob McElhenney ,which prompted an exchange between the pair.
    The 33 year old took a break whilst on the golf course to send a message of congratulations to McElhenney on Wrexham’s promotion.
    In the short clip the former Real Madrid star said: “Hi Rob, just want to congratulate you on your promotion and everything you’re doing at Wrexham.”
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    McElhenney then posted the clip to his Twitter account, alongside a cheeky message.
    Tagging the five-time Champions League winner, he wrote: “Hey @GarethBale11 let’s play golf, where I totally won’t spend 4 hours trying to convince you to un-retire for one last magical season 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 ❤️”
    Bale responded to that tweet by suggesting he wanted to play at St Andrews, the home of golf, by tagging in the R & A.
    The Wales legend tweeted: “Depends what course @RandA”
    Bale finished his career by making 14 appearances and scoring three times for LAFC as the club won the MLS Cup.
    Wrexham have already convinced one former Premier League star out of retirement as Ben Foster signed a short term deal in March. More

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    Furious Ipswich chiefs STORM OUT of EFL Awards after controversy as ceremony turns awkward

    PLYMOUTH boss Steven Schumacher landed the League One manager of the season gong at the EFL Awards on Sunday.And that did not go down well with Ipswich.
    The EFL Awards took place in London on Sunday nightCredit: Rex
    Kieran McKenna looks set to lead Ipswich to promotionCredit: Alamy
    Seconds after Schumacher was announced the winner, everyone on the Tractor Boys’ table at the London bash left the room and went home.
    Plymouth are currently top of the League One table on 95 points after last night’s 2-0 win over Bristol Rovers.
    But there are two games to go – and Ipswich are just one point behind after a 3-0 win at Barnsley.
    Both teams look set for automatic promotion to the Championship.
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    But the result clearly infuriated the Portman Road clan at Grosvenor House in London as gaffer Kieran McKenna was overlooked.
    McKenna is excelling in his first senior management role after spells with Tottenham and Manchester United’s academies.
    He worked as the assistant for Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick but made the switch to Suffolk in December 2021.
    McKenna is enjoying a fine first full campaign and picked up the EFL’s League One manager of the month award for March.
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    Schumacher collected the gong in September and October while Barnsley’s Michael Duff has three.
    Ipswich did, however, have some success at the end-of-season gala.
    Conor Chaplin and Leif Davis were both named in the League One team of the season.
    But Cameron Humphreys was pipped to the young player of the year by Plymouth’s Bali Mumba.
    Ipswich’s five players nominated for awards were in attendance in the capital alongside CEO Mark Ashton and COO Luke Werhun as well as the club’s media team.
    Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher collected the gongCredit: Rex More

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    Wrexham owner Rob McElhenney makes ambitious transfer approach for Gareth Bale to come out of retirement

    WREXHAM owner Rob McElhenney has made a cheeky attempt to convince Gareth Bale to come out of retirement.The Welsh hero retired from the game earlier this year after representing his country at the World Cup in Qatar.
    Gareth Bale posted a video congratulating Wrexham
    Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds lift the National League trophyCredit: PA
    Bale, 33, is clearly enjoying retirement, and took time out to congratulate McElhenney on Wrexham’s promotion.
    In a short video clip, the former Tottenham and Real Madrid star said: “Hi Rob, just want to congratulate you on your promotion and everything you’re doing at Wrexham.”
    McElhenney posted the clip to his Twitter account, alongside a cheeky message.
    Tagging the five-time Champions League winner, he wrote: “Hey @GarethBale11 let’s play golf, where I totally won’t spend 4 hours trying to convince you to un-retire for one last magical season 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 ❤️”
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    Bale finished his club career with LAFC in MLS, appearing 14 times and scoring three goals.
    He subsequently scored at the World Cup for Wales in their 1-1 draw with the USA.
    Wrexham have already convinced one former Premier League star to come out of retirement this season.
    The newly-crowned National League champions signed Ben Foster ahead of the run-in, with the former England goalkeeper playing a huge part in getting them over the line.
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    Ben Foster saved a late penalty against Notts CountyCredit: Getty
    Foster’s highlight was surely his last-gasp penalty save that sealed victory against title rivals Notts County.
    McElhenney and co-owner Ryan Reynolds were emotional last weekend as their team sealed the title.
    The former could be seen in tears as joyous Wrexham fans flooded the pitch in glee.
    Reynolds and McElhenney’s actions have seen them named the “best owners in football” by fans online.
    Bale brought the curtain down on his illustrious career after the World CupCredit: AP More

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    Premier League legend wanted by Walsall as new manager after sensationally quitting his club despite winning title

    WALSALL will look to see if Kevin Phillips wants to be their next boss.The Saddlers sacked Michael Flynn this week.
    Michael Flynn was sacked by Walsall this week after a dismal run of resultsCredit: Getty
    They now want Kevin Phillips after the Sunderland legend led South Shields to promotionCredit: PA
    Now they are keen on Sunderland legend Phillips, who has impressed as a boss with a title win at non league South Shields.
    The ex-England striker, 49, and North East club announced the mutual decision following their final day 3-0 defeat to Stafford Rangers.
    Despite the result, South Shields are still looking forward to playing National League North football this term.
    A club statement read: “Since promotion to National League North was confirmed earlier this month, discussions over the future direction of the club have been held between Kevin and chairman Geoff Thompson.
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    “It has now been decided it is in the best interests of all parties to go their separate ways as the club continues on its road to a more sustainable model.”
    Phillips added: “I feel that this is the right time for me to depart, for a number of reasons.
    “To be manager of South Shields has been an amazing experience and I’m very grateful for everything Geoff has done during my time at the club.”
    The 2000 Premier League Golden Boot winner worked as a coach at Leicester and then Derby and later Stoke after retiring from playing in 2014 before taking over South Shields a year ago.
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    Walsall axed Flynn having won just once in League Two since the start of the year.
    That miserable run left them floundering in mid-table, with his final match in charge being Tuesday’s 3-0 home defeat to Harrogate.
    Assistant coach Wayne Hatswell also left the Bescot Stadium with Mat Sadler placed in charge for the rest of the campaign. More

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    Football star receives death threats on social media as sick fans blame him for not stopping goal

    BRADFORD CITY star Romoney Crichlow has deactivated his social media accounts after claiming to receive death threats from fans.The defender was in action for the Bantams yesterday as they took on Gillingham at Valley Parade.
    Romoney Crichlow has played 35 times for Bradford this seasonCredit: Rex
    The Huddersfield loanee had his pocket picked by Timothee Dieng in the 12th minute, with the Gills ace going on to score.
    After the 2-2 draw, Crichlow revealed on Snapchat that he had deactivated his other social media accounts following a barrage of vile messages.
    He wrote: “The way I’m getting death threats in my DMs right now, I had to deactivate my socials. This is going private now.
    “I always take accountability for my mistakes but no time to dwell, still got a job to do! Three games left to get the job done.”

    Crichlow, 23, is on a season-long loan at Valley Parade from Huddersfield.
    He has appeared 35 times in all competitions – helping Mark Hughes’ side in their promotion bid.
    After revealing the abuse he had received, fans rallied round the centre-back.
    One wrote on Twitter: “This is absolutely disgraceful whoever has sent this to Rom deserves a lifetime ban.”
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    Crichlow revealed on Snapchat that he would be deactivating his social media accountsCredit: Snapchat / RC
    A second commented: “Find them, ban them, prosecute them.”
    While a third Bantam tweeted: “What in the hell 😳 some of our fans are beyond a disgrace.”
    Another added: “Disgusting people. No true fan does anything remotely like this, shame on them.”
    Bradford rallied after Dieng’s opener.
    Andy Cook’s header levelled for Hughes’ men on 48 minutes, and it looked as though League Two’s top scorer had won it for Bradford when he converted an 84th minute penalty.
    Gillingham came roaring back, however, with Oliver Hawkins equalising seven minutes into stoppage time.
    The draw saw Bradford fall to seventh in the table, four points off the automatic promotion spots and only above the non-playoff positions on goal difference.
    They travel to second-placed Northampton on Saturday before a mid-week trip to Crewe.
    On the final day Bradford host Leyton Orient, with Richie Wellens’ side having already been crowned champions. More

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    Fan arrested mid-game after appearing to SPIT at Ipswich goalscorer as club condemn him

    A FOOTBALL fan was arrested mid-game after appearing to spit at an opposition player.The disgraceful incident occurred during Peterborough’s crunch League One clash against visitors Ipswich.
    A Peterborough fan was arrested after appearing to spit at Ipswich’s Wes BurnsCredit: Alamy
    The incident occurred after Burns fired his side ahead in an eventual 3-0 win
    The hosts needed a win to keep their playoff dream alive.
    But they got off to a terrible start when Wes Burns gave Ipswich the lead after just 17 minutes.
    The wide-man turned towards Peterborough fans as he celebrated by cupping his hands to his ears.
    But for one home supporter, it was too much to take.
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    The man was caught on camera leaping from his seat as Ipswich players joined Burns for a group hug.
    The fan then appeared to lean forward and spit at Burns before swearing.
    And as the game continued playing, Peterborough took their official Twitter account revealing the supporter in question had been nicked by cops.
    A statement read: “The football club can confirm that a gentleman was arrested by police following an incident after the first goal scored by Ipswich Town this afternoon.
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    “There is no place in the game for incidents like this. The club would like to thank the police for swiftly dealing with it.”
    Other fans were delighted with Peterborough’s quick actions.
    One said: “Well done for responding.”
    Another declared: “No room for it, fantastic effort from the club in taking action swiftly.”
    Unfortunately for Peterborough, their fortunes did not improve over the course of the game.
    Ipswich found a second in the 57th minute through Conor Chaplin.
    And Freddie Ladapo made it 3-0 with eight minutes remaining.
    The result means Ipswich remain second in the table, one point behind Plymouth Argyle.
    Meanwhile, Peterborough have dropped to seventh, with Derby leapfrogging them into the final playoff place. More